U.S. Designates Yemen’s Houthis as Foreign Terrorist Organization

The U.S. has officially designated Yemen’s Houthis as a “foreign terrorist organization” due to threats posed to American security and maritime stability. Concerns arise regarding the impact on humanitarian aid and regional security, as the group has conducted over 100 attacks since late 2023, targeting commercial shipping and Israel. This designation follows previous actions under President Biden regarding the humanitarian situation in Yemen.

On March 4, 2025, the U.S. State Department officially labeled Yemen’s Houthi movement as a “foreign terrorist organization” at the direction of President Donald Trump. Secretary of State Marco Rubio articulated that the Houthis pose a significant threat to American citizens and partners in the Middle East, as well as to global maritime stability. He emphasized the U.S. government’s intolerance towards any nation engaging with groups labeled as terrorists, such as the Houthis.

The designation has raised alarms regarding its potential repercussions for regional security and the humanitarian situation in Yemen. Importers are apprehensive about incurring U.S. sanctions should their supplies inadvertently be seized by the Houthis. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated that any such designation must be accompanied by safeguards to ensure humanitarian assistance continues, as 19 million Yemenis currently rely on critical support.

Jakob Larsen, from BIMCO, warned that this move could exacerbate security concerns. The action stems from a previous re-designation made by President Trump, which aimed to enforce stricter economic measures due to the Houthis’ attacks on commercial shipping and U.S. warships in the Red Sea. Since November 2023, the Houthis have executed over 100 attacks, targeting vessels and threatening Israel with escalated military action.

Despite President Joe Biden’s earlier decision in 2021 to rescind such designations to address humanitarian issues, his administration last year classified the group as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” organization in response to heightened attacks. Biden did not immediately pursue the more severe Foreign Terrorist Organization designation but faced a complex context with ongoing threats and regional instability.

The U.S. designation of Yemen’s Houthis as a terrorist organization reflects growing concerns over regional security and emphasizes the necessity of balancing sanctions with humanitarian considerations. Many fear that this move may worsen Yemen’s humanitarian crisis, as access to essential goods becomes precarious for millions in need. The situation remains critical, indicating a potential escalation in conflicts along with ongoing humanitarian challenges in Yemen.

Original Source: www.asiaone.com